Expert: Dan Moore - 8/20/2005

Question
A friend obtained one of the first circulated Delaware coins from a store cashier.  One side of the quarter is silver, but the other is copper.  It doesn't look like someone messed with it.  It looks like a print mistake.  What do you think?  Thank you.

Answer
Sounds like a missing clad layer error.  This is caused when the long metal strip (that coin blanks are cut out of) does not get completely coated with its outer silvery-colored copper/nickel alloy layer.  Then some of the blanks are cut out of an area that's missing this clad layer on one or both sides.  The coin then gets struck (like normal) and comes out with one or both sides copper colored.

This is a very popular error.  I've seen them selling as high as $400 apiece.  Generally, the ones with the state side missing the clad will sell for more than the ones missing the clad on the George Washington side.

You need to get the coin certified, so it will be easily sellable, and so you will get the full value for it.  I suggest the PCGS certification service.  Check out their website for details on how to get it submitted for certification : http://www.pcgs.com

I hope this helps,

Dan